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Windows 7: I need a PCI slot fan, any suggestions?

The only problem with Dell is that they still use non-industry standards, and one of those relates to motherboard mounting. The standard calls for mounting points that can be fixed to the tray/case with screws and a standoff, but many Dells have a proprietary system whereby the mounting is actually slots on the board through which tabs from the tray/case are inserted and securing clips fitted.

I have $1200 in dental bills starting Thursday- spending piles of money is NOT an option. I already have to spend money($5 or so) on thermal paste as the CPU and heatsink aren't connected anymore so any cooling will have to be in a budget. A new case is 100% not happening. I bought this PC to run XP on, not be be a modern gaming rig. If I can't get it up to par for cheap then I'll have to sell it for parts. I'm lucky I even have a HDD to put in, if I didn't have a spare drive it'd already be sold for parts.

I repeat- I have looked at most HDD coolers. The ones that mount to the bottom of the HDD won't fit as the HDD tray is in the bottom. There's no way to even physically mount those standard coolers in without doing some severe rigging work and even then it'll be on top of the drive, not the bottom like they seem to intend. A 5.25 bay adapter is out of the question as I do not have a spare bay. If I go with a 3.5 drive bay option that Evercool one may be the best bet.

I don't mind ditching the floppy drive for a fan since floppy drives are a dead format but the cooler must work in that slot and fit well.

The drives are literally a HDD on the bottom set in a plastic drive caddy meant to lock in and slide out, a floppy drive above that(stock drive mount screws that slide into a locking rack) and an optical drive above that slides into a locking rack.

I also was going to suggest a new case until I saw the OP is using a Dell.

What is hiding under that black shroud on the MOBO by the side of the case? I'm thinkin' that is where the CPU and the intake fan are hiding and the intake fan is blowing air over the CPU heatsink. If so, mayhap you could cut a hole in the panel that's been removed in the photo near the rear of the case and close to the top mounted PSU, then put in a 120mm or 140mm exhaust fan. That might help by pulling hot air out of the case, possibly drawing more cool air through the original fan and CPU heat sink.

Also, since the CPU heatsink is apparently hidden under that shroud, is it possible it may be partially clogged with unseen dust?

The shroud has a large heatsink and a fan. I think the fan already blows air out, from what I was able to determine. I did take it out, hard as it was. I was barely able to get the fan rack out without having to remove the motherboard. The shroud comes right off but the front piece houses the fan and speaker. I dusted it, it spins okay.

If I wanted to even replace that fan I'd have to buy another of that type, it won't take another off the shelf fan. 4 pin cable, proprietary, but no fan adjustment options in the BIOS anywhere so while it runs off the motherboard it seems to have no special software or controls.

edit: By design the CPU fan should draw air into these cases. The fan in this was reversed. Some people say to reverse this fan but that seems to cause issues- the fan should blow cool air over the heatsink and CPU. I would assume someone replaced the fan at point, but put it in to exhaust rather than intake, which actually is bad because with that massive heatsink and shroud it's not pulling much air out.

So I have it faced to intake now. I need exhaust. That Evercool looks good but fits in the floppy bay so it'd exhaust the air out the front. if I mount anything in the back I can go with a single 40mm and a 70mm fan. The 40mm will have to run off my 3-pin to Molex adapter, with the 70 running off Molex. I think the 3-pin plug on the motherboard may not run a fan since it's designed for that "intrusion" switch security thing.

I would install your hard drive in the stock location and call it a day. Then start to save for a custom build at a later more affordable time. Other wise you need to consider opening up the side panel and placing a proper cooling fan to draw air out of the case. With a hole saw, fan and fan guard I'm guessing you'll spend $20-35.

a 70mm fan over the PCI slots. This will be the cheapest option but I also think the hardest to mount in securely.

The second option would be a 40mm Sunon fan with a high air flow rating. I think it would be far easier to mount in using existing holes in the grating. This would be a bit more expensive, but so long as the air flow is high it should do the job. Something like this, or another similar Sunon fanSUNON PMD1204PQBX-A Case Fan - Newegg.com

Yikes that 40 mm is almost 60 dba. I would opt for much quieter and get a quality fan and add two. Noctua makes a new 40mm fan and you can start with one then add and second later for more air flow. Maybe you can squeeze a 60mm or two in as well. The Noctua is only 17 dba at full tilt.

I just checked those out... they're quite pricey and are only rated for 4.8 CFM airflow(Newegg lists higher for some reason). I'm not too worried about a fan being noisy as I run the AC in this room constantly and usually have TV/games going anyway.

Here's an oddball idea... I get a standard PCI slot cooling exhaust fan, and rig it to mount in the grating above the serial port. There should be enough room there- it allows me a good 10cm X 2cm space just on the removable grating, with maybe another 3cm height going over the USB ports.

Seems easy to mount- drill screw holes in the metal slot, bend the top part up and drill a hole into that. I'm thinking this will let me move a good deal more air out of the case than a 40mm fan would.

I need a PCI slot fan, any suggestions?

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